Triangle Offense (II)

Good morning everybody!

As we advance yesterday, today we continue talking about the Triangle Offense. 

Today we show you three diagrams to explain it better, and on the next post we show you a video explenation and a presentation.

This offense tip has a key weakness that is it is notoriously difficult to implement. If the offense is implemented incorrectly, it can be a mess, as spacing in the triangle is at a premium. Without players being properly spaced, no matter how good the are, the offense is tough to run. This will result in players moving into each other's lanes to basket and clogging driving lanes with defenders.

For post players this crowding of the scoring areas will mean more pressure on passes into the post and quick rotations from the help defence. Alternatively, for perimeter players this crowding will make scoring difficult as players will find the defence can easily crowd driving lanes and increase the shooting distance from the basket.

The breakdown for the Triangle Offense diagrammed is a very simple play. The complete system adds various reads and actions to this structure to provide depth to the offensive strategy.

Diagram 1.

Diagram 2

The triangle can start in a box formation (Diagram 1), with the post players at the block (Four and Five).

Four (4) and Five (5) down screen for the perimeter players (Two and Three), who cut out to the wings.

The point guard (One) can pass to either wing (Two or Three) to setup the triangle. In this case, the pass is to the small forward (Three).

With the ball in the small forward’s hands, the shooting guard (Two) rotates to the top of the key.

The power forward (Four) rotates to the wing and takes the shooting guard’s (2) place. (Diagram 2)

The point guard (One) cuts through to the strong side long corner. (Diagram 2)

Diagram 3

The offensive team is now in a triangle formation on the right side of the court.

Four (4) and Two (2) need to focus on maintaining spacing, but need to move their position to maintain a line of sight with the ball.

The players on the weak side of the floor (Four and Two) need to be looking for basket cut options if their defender becomes lazy or too active in help defence.

There are a number of options for the offensive team:

• Pass the ball into the center (Five) for post  isolation.
• Have the center (5) set a ball screen with Three (3) for a pick and roll.
• Pass to the point guard (One) and set a double screen for a jumper.

Alternatively, the center (Five) can lift into the high post and then have both the point guard and small forward cut to the weak side of the floor after passing to the Five (5).

So... what do you think about the Triangle Offense? Are you going to teach it to your young players? Hope this post help you to your workouts and trainings. We think that it is and amazing resource to play a good-looking and eficient basketball. 

References

Coach Riches. Introduction to the Triangle Offense. Recuperado el 28 de abril de 2015,del sitio web Functional Basketball Coaching: http://functionalbasketballcoaching.com/introduction-to-the-triangle-offense/